The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-02-17
Total ont of University fund for Agri-

Total ont of University fund for Agri
| cultural and Mechanical collese...... $4,000
Not only has the legislature repeatedly
recognized the fact that the Agricultural
aud Mechanical college is bra Oh of the
University, but the authorities of that col
ege have themselves uniformly claimed
this relationship and have published it in
the catalogue of the institution and in its
announcements and advertisements. But
in the statute establishing the University
this relationship is not mentioned. As a
matter of fact the Bryan college is not
alluded to in any way, and the singular
spect lcle is presented of college au-
thorized to style itself a branch of a main
university, while the university is not au-
| thorized to claim the branch as one of its
departments. The college at Bryan is en-
titled to say that it is the technical
branch of the university of Austln," but
the university of Austin is not entitled to
say that it has technical branch at
Bryan. In the opinion of the regents it
is time that this contradictory relation
ship should cease. 1t is both mischievous
and absurd. 1t is absurd because it con-
travenes the plainest dictates of common
sense. If the college at Bryan is branch
vi Uu6 OulN0IblUJy JhO OLllNOlolbJ wi OulhAJ
has branch at Bryan, and the regents,
as the governing body of the University,
should control and regulate this branch.
All Independent board as the governing
body of a dependent branch is contra
dictiOn in terms, and therefore an alb
surdity. But it is something worse than
an absurdity; it is an element of mischief.
No disrespect Is intended to the honorable
directory of the Agricultural and Me-
chanical college. All personal references
are disclaimed in this report. 1t IS de-
sired merely to state clearly and strongly
the anomalous situation of the two insti-
buttons, with the hope that in so
doing the solution of the difficulty may
be reached aud the interests of both may
be subserved. It is repeated that an in
dependent board with claim on fund
over which the regents have general con-
troll is an element of mischief. The re-
gents met on the 18th of last June. A
statement from the comptroller was laid
before them, giving an estimate of the
income from the university lands for the
present scholastic year. Upon this esti-
mate the regents made their appropri-
ations, limiting them only by the amount
of the income. The legislature convenes
this winter. The directors of the agri-
cultural and Mechanical college will doubt
less come forward with a claim upon the
Enivsrsity's income. How much they
will claim is, of course, unknown. At the
last session of the Legislature they claimed
one-third. The decision as to the
amount will, of course, be left to the leg
islature. There will be naturally a diff
| Of xnbinb will lad IN
debate, and it is feared, to wrangling.
1t is very desirable, for the interest of all
concerned, that this should be avoided.
1t will necessarily work mischief to both
institutions. The cause of higher educa-
ton by the state has too many enemies to
make it safe for the institutions repre-
senting this cause to engage biennially in
a contest before the legislature. Again,
the management of the branch al
B van, by an independent board
having claim on the uni
versity funds, threatens grave disaster to
the University itself. Suppose, for in
stance, that this directory puts forth
again, at the approaching session of the
legislature, claim for one third of the
University income. Suppose the legisla
ture, in the exercise of its sovereign ty
should recognize this claim. What would
be the consequences? Why, at the next
meeting of the regents, in June, 1887
their disbursements would have to be cut
down in the same ratio. Additions to the
library would cease; work in the labora
tories would stop; employees would be dis
charged and professors dismissed. The
institution, now in strong and healthy
infancy, would be throttled in its cradle
If the approaching legislature, in the
exercise of its wisdom, should refuse to
recognize such a preposterous claim
some other legislature may; SO the exis-
tencs OF this Independent board, with Its
admitted claim, is constant menace to
the growth and prosperity of the main
University. 1t is repeated that no disre-
spect is intended to the directory of the
Agricultural and Mechanical college in
thus characterizing their relation to the
University. The situation is unfortunate
and anomalous, and it behooyes all good
citizens TO endeavor to devise some means
by which the two institutions may extri-
cate themselves from difficulty for
which those who have charge of them now
are measurably not responsible.
It is believed that there are two ways IL
which this may be done, either of which
would be effective. In the first place, q
constitutional amendment may be